The second Swiss round at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 continued to reshape the standings as B8 delivered a confident 2–0 sweep over HEROIC in the 0–1 bracket, while Vitality edged past The MongolZ 2–1 in a high-level 1–0 clash. Both series reinforced a familiar theme of this tournament: structure under pressure decides outcomes.
Road to this stage — quick recap
- B8 entered the match after a difficult opening loss and needed a composed response to avoid early elimination danger.
- HEROIC were also coming off a defeat and faced immediate pressure in the Swiss system.
- Vitality arrived in the 1–0 pool riding strong early form and looking to extend their momentum.
- The MongolZ had shown resilience in their opener and aimed to test Vitality’s depth in longer series.
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B8 2–0 HEROIC
B8 approached the series with clarity and discipline, quickly taking control of both maps.
Nuke — structured execution (13:9)
HEROIC’s pick started competitively, but B8 steadily gained control through well-timed rotations and mid-round adjustments. Artem “kensizor” Kapran and Daniil “s1zzi” Vinnyk consistently found opening duels, while alex666 and npl provided strong trading. HEROIC struggled to convert man advantages, and their economy never stabilized long enough to build momentum. B8 closed Nuke 13–9 without allowing late-round chaos.
Ancient — defensive lockdown (13:4)
Ancient was one-sided. B8’s CT setups shut down HEROIC’s early map control attempts, forcing slow and predictable executes. s1zzi delivered high-impact rounds in key choke points, and kensizor’s consistency ensured clean conversions. HEROIC failed to establish any real rhythm, and the 13–4 scoreline reflected B8’s tactical superiority.
Player statistics for the match
Player of the match — Daniil “s1zzi” Vinnyk
- 38–22 K-D
- 98.1 ADR
- 82.1% KAST
- 1.42 rating
Across two maps, s1zzi provided the firepower and composure B8 needed to secure a crucial Swiss-stage victory.
VRS impact
- B8: +33 VRS points
- HEROIC: −11 VRS points
A significant ranking boost for B8 as they stabilize at 1–1.
Vitality 2–1 The MongolZ
In the 1–0 bracket, Vitality were forced into a far more competitive battle.
Mirage — MongolZ strike first (13:10)
The MongolZ looked confident on their pick. mzinho and bLitz found consistent openings, and Vitality struggled to maintain defensive cohesion in mid-round situations. Despite solid individual performances from flameZ and mezii, Mirage slipped away 10–13.
Dust2 — response under control (13:4)
Vitality answered emphatically. Their T side dismantled The MongolZ’s defensive setups, repeatedly exploiting gaps in mid control. ZywOo and apEX controlled the tempo, and the 13–4 result quickly reset the tone of the series.
Nuke — composure in the decider (13:4)
The final map followed a similar script. Vitality tightened their structure and denied The MongolZ early momentum. mezii led with consistent impact across both halves, while ropz and flameZ ensured clean spacing and trade efficiency. The MongolZ were unable to recover economically, and Vitality closed the series with authority.
Player statistics for the match
Player of the match — William “mezii” Merriman
- 41–33 K-D
- 80.2 ADR
- 77.2% KAST
- 1.28 rating
mezii’s stability across all three maps proved decisive in turning the series around after the Mirage setback.
VRS impact
- Vitality: +6 VRS points
- The MongolZ: −6 VRS points
Vitality extend their early momentum and move to 2–0 in the Swiss stage.
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What’s next?
B8 reset their campaign at 1–1 and regain breathing room in the bracket. HEROIC now face increased elimination pressure. Vitality advance to the 2–0 pool, one win away from playoff qualification, while The MongolZ drop into the crowded 1–1 group. At PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, early resilience continues to separate contenders from survivors — and every Swiss round reshapes the path forward.
